iPhone 16e review

The iPhone 16e is Apple’s most accessible iPhone in the 2024 lineup, but it doesn’t cut corners where it matters. With the same powerful A18 chip as the standard iPhone 16, a brilliant OLED display, and a premium dual-camera system, the 16e is ideal for everyday users who want solid performance without the high-end price.

Whether you’re a student, a first-time iPhone buyer, or simply looking for value, this is one of the best choices available in 2025.

In this article, we’ll explore:

• Price
• Release date
• Key features
• Design and colours
• Display
• Camera
• Battery life
• Apple Intelligence and iOS 18
• Comparison with other iPhone 16 models
• Accessory Compatibility
• Pros and cons
• Refurbished benefits at Swappie
• Final verdict
• FAQs

Price 💶

As of September 2025, official Apple Store Ireland pricing for the iPhone 16e is:

• 128 GB – €729
• 256 GB – €859
• 512 GB – €1,109

At Swappie, refurbished iPhone 16e models start from €589, depending on capacity and condition. That’s a savings of up to €140, with the added benefit of sustainability.

Release date 📅

Apple announced the iPhone 16e on 19 February 2025, and it became available on 28 February 2025, launching alongside the rest of the iPhone 16 family.

Key features 📱

• 6.1″ Super Retina XDR OLED display
  
• A18 chip with 6-core CPU and 4-core GPU
  
• Dual camera system with 48 MP main sensor
  
• Face ID and Action button
  
• USB-C charging with fast charge support
  
• Up to 26 hours video playback
  
• iOS 18 with Apple Intelligence
  
• IP68-rated water and dust resistance
  

Design and colours 🎨

The iPhone 16e features a sleek aluminium design with a Ceramic Shield front and glass back. It feels light, compact and easy to handle. Available in just two colours, Apple has kept things classic:

• Black
• White

Despite the minimalist palette, the overall look is premium, especially considering this is Apple’s most affordable 2024 model.

Display 🌟

The 16e has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, with a resolution of 2532 × 1170 at 460 ppi. It supports HDR, True Tone, Haptic Touch and a wide P3 colour gamut. Brightness reaches up to 800 nits typically, and 1200 nits for HDR content.

It lacks a high refresh rate (limited to 60Hz), but the sharpness and colour quality still deliver an excellent viewing experience for everyday use.

Camera 📸

The iPhone 16e includes a powerful dual-camera system, enabled by the Photonic Engine and Smart HDR 5:

48 MP wide lens (ƒ/1.6) with OIS and Hybrid Focus Pixels
2x Telephoto (12 MP equivalent) enabled through cropping from the main sensor
Night mode, Portrait mode, Deep Fusion and Photographic Styles
4K Dolby Vision video up to 60 fps
12 MP TrueDepth front camera with autofocus and 4K video

You get all the core photography features found in higher-end iPhones, minus the dedicated telephoto or ultrawide lenses.

Battery life 🔋

The iPhone 16e offers excellent battery life, suitable for heavy daily use:

Up to 26 hours video playback
Up to 21 hours streaming
Up to 90 hours audio playback
50% charge in ~30 minutes with a 20W adapter
Wireless charging (Qi-compatible)

USB-C finally brings faster charging and universal compatibility across your Apple devices.

Apple Intelligence and iOS 18 🔄

Running on iOS 18, the iPhone 16e supports Apple Intelligence, a new on-device AI system that enhances writing, editing, app suggestions and Siri. Your data stays private, with processing done directly on your iPhone.

iOS 18 also brings a refreshed design, improved widgets and more customisation options across the entire system.

Comparison with other iPhone 16 models ⚙️

Model	Display	Chip	Camera	Price (from)
iPhone 16e	6.1″	A18	48 MP + 2x Telephoto	€729
iPhone 16	6.1″	A18	Same as 16e	€859
iPhone 16 Pro	6.1″	A18 Pro	Triple camera + LiDAR	€1,109

The 16e offers the same processor and core features as the iPhone 16, but with fewer finishes, no ProMotion display and a slightly different design. It’s the best-value option for most users.

Accessory compatibility 🔗

The iPhone 16e includes a USB-C port and is fully compatible with:

• AirPods and Apple Watch
• AirPlay, Handoff, Continuity and FaceTime
• Apple Pay and Express Transit
• Find My and Family Sharing

Whether you’re pairing it with other Apple products or simply using it for everyday tasks, the 16e fits perfectly into the Apple ecosystem.

Pros and cons ⚖️

✅ Great performance with the A18 chip
✅ Excellent OLED display with HDR
✅ Long battery life and fast charging
✅ Action button
✅ Seamless integration with Apple services
❌ Only 60Hz refresh rate
❌ Just two colour options
❌ No ultrawide or telephoto hardware lenses

The iPhone 16e strikes a smart balance, offering nearly all the features of the standard iPhone 16, but at a more reasonable price.

Refurbished benefits at Swappie ♻️

A refurbished iPhone 16e from Swappie gives you:

• Up to €140 in savings compared to new
  
• 52-step testing process by in-house technicians
  
• 12-month warranty and 14-day free return
  
• Eco-friendly alternative that reduces electronic waste
  

With Swappie, you get a fully functional, quality-assured iPhone, for less money and lower environmental impact.

Final verdict ✅

The iPhone 16e is proof that you don’t have to pay Pro-level prices to get a fast, capable and future-proof iPhone. With the A18 chip, fantastic battery life and strong camera performance, this is one of the best all-round iPhones for everyday users in 2025.

And if you want to save even more, without compromising on quality, the refurbished version from Swappie is the smarter choice.

FAQ ❓

📅 When was the iPhone 16e released?
It launched on 10 September 2024 and became available on 20 September.

💶 What is the price in Ireland?
As of September 2025:
€729 (128GB), €859 (256GB), €1,109 (512GB)
Refurbished from €589 on Swappie

📱 Does the iPhone 16e have Dynamic Island?
No, the iPhone 16e does not have the Dynamic Island feature.

🔋 What is the battery life like?
Up to 26 hours video playback or 21 hours of streaming.

🔌 Does it use USB-C?
Yes, the iPhone 16e charges via USB-C and supports fast charging.

♻️ Is it available refurbished?
Yes, Swappie offers fully tested refurbished iPhone 16e models with warranty and returns.